Torrens University SA U16 Team defeated by Victoria Metro

By ZAC MILBANK

The Torrens University SA U16 team has been edged out by just five points as it fought hard to reel in Victoria Metro in Game 3 of the AFL National Championships in Southport.

Needing a win to keep their title hopes alive, the Croweaters trailed by as much as 27 points at half-time before rolling up the sleeves in the second half.

SA’s Aiden Schubert and Will Prescott kicked the only two goals of the third quarter as its defence, led by the polished Josh Reichelt, dried up the Vics’ scoring after the main break.

When nippy SA goalsneak Prescott crumbed a loose ball off hands to run into an open goal in the first minute of the fourth term, the belief was high as the deficit was trimmed to just 10 points.

Vic Metro pushed its advantage back out to 19 points midway through the term but Julian Farkas’ charges refused to wilt as vice-captain Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier produced a nice finish from 30m to have SA within seven points with three minutes to play.

The Croweaters had opportunities to tie up the scores in the frantic dying stages but it wasn’t to be as they left their charge too late, finishing the Championships with a 1-2 win-loss record.

Reichelt, who set up multiple attacking forays from the back half with his neat kicking, was rated as SA’s best as he tallied 29 disposals, seven marks and six rebound 50s.

Captain Dyson Sharp – named SA’s MVP – was again a strong presence in the middle with 22 disposals, five clearances and seven inside 50s while wingman Harley Barker was solid with 14 disposals and six marks.

It was a strong manner in which to finish the Carnival for Sharp, who was fittingly awarded the Kevin Sheehan Medal as the most outstanding player for the Championships while also being named in the AFL U16 All-Australian team as a midfielder.

Central District’s Joshua Reichelt was also selected in the All-Australian line-up, on the interchange bench.

Tall utility Aiden Schubert was again a handful for the opposition as he contributed in different ways by registering 14 disposals, 10 hit outs, three marks, three inside 50s and two goals.

Friday July 7
Game 3 – AFL U16 National Championships
Fankhauser Reserve, Southport

Victoria Metro  3.2  7.5  7.8  9.10 (64)

South Australia  3.0  3.2  5.4  8.11 (59)

BEST – SA: Joshua Reichelt, Dyson Sharp, Harley Barker, Aiden Schubert, Luke Candy, Cameron Woods

GOALS – SA: Aiden Schubert, Will Prescott 2, Noah Roberts-Thomson, Sam Cumming, Dougie Cochrane, Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier